New patients, new disorders, new drugs and the rise of prescriptions

Keywords

Public HealthMain ConcernPsychotropic DrugRational ApproachClinical Work

The rise of prescription of psychotropic drugs is a major healthcare problem namely in Psychiatry. The reason of the rise is not clear and many questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, we have more patients, more drugs, more resistant and demanding patients and more polypharmacy. Inappropriate prescribing and lack of rational is not uncommon and prescribing education is also a main concern. Although, the use of guidelines for treatment could make clinical work easier they differ in their objectives and contents. We will discuss the doctor's capacity to make more diagnosis, the problematic of out of label prescriptions and the potential of abuse of some medication and the implications in the rise of prescription. The continuous update and training in clinical psychopharmacology and joint decision-making process between clinicians will allow a rational approach to treatment.

Authors’ Affiliations

(1)

Portuguese Association of Biological Psychiatry and Portuguese Authority of Drugs and Pharmacy, Portugal